ECCLESHALL PARISH COUNCIL – ENHANCEMENTS AND PRESERVATION COMMITTEE – Wednesday, June 5^th 2024

A meeting of the Enhancements and Preservation Committee was held on Wednesday, 5^th June 2024 at Eccleshall Community Centre, after the Planning Committee meeting, at 7.40pm.

  Present were:-

Councillor R. Langford (Chair)             Councillor G. Dale

Councillor D. Hall                                   Councillor C. Wilkins

Councillor P. Jones                                Councillor R. Taylor (from 7.50pm)

Mrs S. J. Worden (Clerk)

No members of the public

1).    Apologies:-

Apologies were received from Cllrs. Perren, Hill and Ryan-Bloor.

2).    Election of Chairman / Vice Chairman:-

In the absence of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, Cllr. Dale took the chair to receive the nominations. Councillor S. Perren was nominated and elected as Chairman for the ensuing year.

Cllr Dale requested nominations for Vice-Chair of the committee and Councillor Langford was elected and took the chair for the meeting.

3).    Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 3^rd April 2024:-

The minutes, which had previously been noted by the Council, were agreed and signed.

4).   Asset inspections:-

• Members were circulated the latest 2024 asset inspection sheets. Condition reports are to be submitted to the Clerk now to allow for required remedial works during fine weather. Any assets requiring sanding/repainting have been notified to the handyman and will be completed as weather permits. The repair to the railings should commence within the next week and the circular bench and bench by the roundabout are also planned in, subject to the weather. The dead tree within the circular bench requires removal prior to painting and these works have been booked in for the end of June.
• It was resolved to recommend approval of the quotation of £145 for repairs to the bench on the Newport Road, which requires new foundations and adjustment to the bench alignment. It is believed that a vehicle has hit the bench to cause this damage.
• It was resolved to recommend approval of the quotation of £300 for the clear up of two fallen trees on Elford Heath. Branches will be chipped and timber stacked to provide a habitat pile.

5).   Refurbished BT boxes:-

• To receive an update on any responses to repurposing of the BT box on the Washpits

This was deferred until the next meeting, so Cllr. Hill can report back on this item.

6).   Croxton Play area and outdoor gym:

• Review of the latest inspection report and consider any actions arising:

Members considered the interim inspection report conducted by HAGS – the area has been identified as low risk with no major issues reported for action. The Clerk advised that the perimeter fence painting is scheduled for late June, weather permitting. The Clerk is also trying to source a new liner for the existing bin, as is it rusting away.

(Cllr. Taylor joined the meeting at this point).

7).   Beech Road Play area:

• Update on progress of leasing of Beech Road play area:

The lease documentation is still being progressed by the Borough Council, who were in the process of advertising the intention to lease the area. The Clerk is meeting with the Borough Council officer tomorrow and will obtain a further update.

• Beech Road working group

Members were circulated a copy of the last meeting notes. The working group had discussed the feedback received from the community survey and were able to identify preferred options for the play area. There was a preference for equipment made from timber as opposed to metal, and for the area to have quiet spaces, seating and a small garden area as well as play equipment. A shortlist was compiled of preferred play equipment, and this will be used to produce a tender document. Due to the proposed budget, this will need to go through a full procurement process with any necessary advertising and documentation, which may delay the receipt of quotes.

8).  Lengthsman Scheme – feedback on recent activity and collate any new work requests.

• Recent activity and collate any new work requests. The team have been asked to undertake general tidying works in the centre of Eccleshall, to include weeding and cleaning of signs. This will be undertaken as resource allows.

Any new request can be forwarded to the Clerk.

As a general note, concerns were raised about weeds within the gutters at the side of the road, which are no longer regularly removed or sprayed, and promote silt build up and further growth. The level of growth means that the streetsweepers are no longer effective at removing them. The clerk will enquire as to the County Council schedule and procedures in maintaining these areas. A request to sweep around the chicane on the Stone Road will be submitted.

Other items to continue to chase include the repair of the welcome sign on the Newcastle Road; the detail of works due to commence on Stafford Road and the repair on Church Street (traffic lights) where it is also noted one of the signs is an obstruction to pedestrians.

9). Correspondence:

• There was no correspondence to receive.

10).  Items for next meeting:-

Any items for consideration to be sent to the Clerk.

11).  Date of Next Meeting:-  August 14^th 2024, following the planning meeting.

There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 8.05pm.